Packing......what if...

[NadiasMommy]

I read another post that said they were able to pack all of their clothing and such for the week into one carryon bag per person. I LOVE THIS IDEA.

How would you do that though?
Anyone have any ideas?

 

[ASFCurly]

Don't ask me, I know that I can't do it

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Whether one is travelling for 3 days or 3 months, the same amount of clothes will more than suffice. I have travelled for a week at a time using the space in a carry-on suitcase. Packing cubes, shirt folders, and careful choice of clothing in regards to fabrics and colours can make a little space go a long way.

I take a little time each evening to wash out my clothes in hotel sinks and let them dry overnight. The careful choice in fabrics helps to ensure that my clothes are dry by the next morning. Trousers with zip-off legs rarely need to have the zip-off legs washed and they dry so much quicker. I roll my wet clothes in the hotel towels after rinsing to remove the lion's share of the water. Often the clothes are barely damp after the towel treatment.

If I'm tired of washing my clothes in the sink or I want to do a "proper" wash, I find a laundromat nearby and enjoy the time there. I priced a "Drop Off" laundyy in London, England near Paddington Station and realized that I couldn't do the wash and dry for that price myself and enjoyed the day exploring the sights and sounds of that world class city knowing that I could pick up my laundry on the way back to the hotel.

I don't think anyone has ever returned from a vacation saying "Next time I'm going to pack more clothes."

Of course, being a DVC member means that I have a washer and dryer in my accommodations while staying at WDW in a 1BR villa or larger. It's so easy to put yesterday's clothes in the washing machine and let the laundry happen while I'm enjoying the parks today.

 

[Stitchy_Baby_626]

Omg are you serious? I could never do that even if i was only going for 3 days! I like to take lots of clothes so that i have a a choice when i get there and not a set outfit that i have picked out for that day

Donna
xxx

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Omg are you serious? I could never do that even if i was only going for 3 days! I like to take lots of clothes so that i have a a choice when i get there and not a set outfit that i have picked out for that day

Donna
xxx

Definitely serious. I'm guessing you're in London, England. Load up your suitcase with all you want to take and haul it up and down the stairs at Paddington or King's Cross. That has more than convinced me to cut down on the stuff I take on holidays with me.

I still have plenty of choices for outfits as I ensure the clothes I pack coordinate with each other. 4 shirts + 2 pairs of shorts + 2 pairs of trousers (including one that zips off into shorts) = 20 different timeless outfits. If I throw a travel blazer into the mix I will effectively double the possibilities and be ready for a fancy dinner at Victoria & Albert's at a moment's notice.

There is an American travel agency that sells out its European tours year after year and the travellers are not allowed to take more than one carry-on suitcase. It's a system that works and works well.

However, it only works for those who want to give it a try. I have watched travellers struggle with entire luggage sets of 5 pieces, including oversized luggage on baggage trolleys at airports. The next struggle they face is with the airline agent who has the duty to inform them that much of their luggage is overweight and excess baggage charges will apply.

My vacation ends up being more affordable and much more enjoyable because I'm not paying red-caps to carry my luggage; I'm not paying excess baggage fees to the airline and I can move a lot quicker and catch the next train leaving the station. With that carry-on luggage trailing behind me I'm well out of the airport, through customs and immigration and on my way to my final destination long before the luggage for most passengers has even hit the baggage carousel.

It takes a lot of doing to make the shift from overpacking to packing just the essentials. Trust me -- I've taken my luggage to the local farm implement dealer to load onto a massive scale to see how overweight it was, and that was before I even had the chance to leave the country and buy anything. Even if I don't travel with carry-on luggage, I'll pack the same amount of clothes as if I was and have a whole lot more suitcase to fill on the way home with new clothes and other great souvenirs of my travels abroad.

 

[chrismb22]

That is sooo not me!! What I am doing this time (and I THOUGHT this was conserving) is packing "outfits" instead of just throwing clothes I like in a suitcase -- llike I normally do. This way I know I need so many outfits/shoes. I planned out our days and figured two outfits for some days and one for others. I also have a couple "just in case" outfits. I have no desire to wash a thing while away. It's my vacation and I don't want to do any labor LOL (But I don't have kids, so I only have to worry about me. That makes it much easier I'm sure.)

Saving money -- I wish. I like having new clothes for vacation -- down to underwear and socks. Besides, for me, I enjoy dressing up (in park appropriate clothes/shoes of course) before I go to the park.

It's one big suitcase for me (everything fits) and a nice-sized duffel bag carry on that has a change of clothese for the first day and a jacket. I will use that bag on the way home as well, for any souveniers.

 

[Amyg]

LOL!
I can see men being able to do this but I don't think most women are capable of only taking one carry on for any trip over 2 days! The only time I've ever done so is a 2 nighter. We women want to be prepared for anything!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

LOL!
I can see men being able to do this but I don't think most women are capable of only taking one carry on for any trip over 2 days! The only time I've ever done so is a 2 nighter. We women want to be prepared for anything!

On the contrary -- it was my DW who inspired me to do this. She travelled for 3 weeks in Europe on half a suitcase of clothing, leaving the other half for DD's clothes and lots of great souvenirs to bring home.

Read the tips on packing light here at Rick Steves' website and here is a corresponding list just for women. It can be done, by men and women alike.

Sure -- these packing lists have European travel in mind, but I have found them to be great for travel anywhere.

 

[Amyg]

On the contrary -- it was my DW who inspired me to do this. She travelled for 3 weeks in Europe on half a suitcase of clothing, leaving the other half for DD's clothes and lots of great souvenirs to bring home.

Read the tips on packing light here at Rick Steves' website and here is a corresponding list just for women. It can be done, by men and women alike.

Sure -- these packing lists have European travel in mind, but I have found them to be great for travel anywhere.

Hehehe! That's why I stated "MOST women" won't be able to do it. We just HAVE to bring all our stuff "just in case". I admire any woman who can do this!

 

[ncbyrne]

Over the years I have learned to scale down on the amount of luggage on each trip. Traveling light is definitely better. I plan each peice carefully. Lightweight clothing of wrinkle free material that dries quickly is key. Rolling clothes instead of folding helps a lot when trying to fit everything into a small suitcase.

 

[chrismb22]

I just don't understand WHY anyone would want to do it, that's all LOL. (Not putting down anyone who does, that's great -- it's just not my thing, that's all.)

 

[poohguys]

I think people tend to take too much. Like Royal Canadian said you just need to mix and match outfits. We only bring one pair of shoes each. We do not do any activites that require dressing up. I have a wash and go hair style-no blow dryers or curling irons for me. Remember too that you can always do laundry if you need to. Not the most exciting thing to do on vacation, but to me better than taking a big heavy suit case.

 

[abca]

I'm a woman and I agree with Neil. It doesn't matter how long a trip we take, 2 days or a month. I only pack what is necessary into one carry-on bag each. It is much easier and efficient for me and my family to travel this way. If I happen to forget anything, I buy it when I get there. No big deal.

By carefully selecting coordinating clothing of non-wrinkling, quick-drying, light-weight material, all your clothing can be quickly washed and dried in one load. Also remember that coordinating does not have to mean dull, boring or monotone. Layering and accessories can be key in dressing up a basic outfit and making it look completely different.

There is another thread which talks about how many shoes to take on DCL. LOL OP said she takes a minimum of eight pairs besides the ones she wears when getting on board. My sister visited this summer and had 8 pairs of sandals alone, plus her multiple other non-sandal shoes! rotfl: For me, I take a maximum of 3 pairs of shoes including the ones I wear on the plane. Shoes take up too much room in a suitcase.

 

[jenelope]

I've done it for a five day trip to WDW. I used a 19" wheeled upright and carried a small backpack as my "purse." I had enough clothes for the five days, plus an extra sundress. I even brought unworn clothes home. There's a science to it, and it usually takes a lot of planning. On another trip, I was going to France for ten days, five to ski and five to tour Paris. I put all of my Paris stuff in the wheeled upright and all of the ski stuff in my two checked bags. It's a good thing I did, too, because that trip was the one and only time I've ever had lost luggage. By the time we returned to Geneva to meet up with the ski group, our bags had arrived.

The question you have to ask is, "Is it worth it?" Sometimes the answer is an obvious yes, sometimes it isn't. If you have to wrangle a squirming child impatient to flee the plane, it may not be easy to get the suitcase out of the overhead bin. On connecting flights, you'll have to do it at least four times per trip. I'm still a one bag packer, but I've been checking it for quite a while now because, not only are my stays getting longer, but I don't want to have to deal with retrieving my bag from the overhead. I always seem to be in danger of smacking some unsuspecting person in the head with it. Also, I'm an overpacker by nature, and I like to be true to myself. The bag I check now is substantially larger than the one I used to carry on.

 

[robinb]

My biggest downfall is shoes. They take up a LOT of room. I wear my sneakers and pack sandals and dress shoes. My DH can pack in a carry-on (with room left over!) in less than 30 minutes. But, then again, he's a road warrior and he's used to it!

Every time I go I say that I must pack less. Last trip (in August, no cool weather clothes packed!) the reason I picked out an Impala on National's Emerald Aisle is because it had the biggest truck. I filled that sucker up!

Maybe next time.

 

[susan1]

LOL!
I can see men being able to do this but I don't think most women are capable of only taking one carry on for any trip over 2 days! The only time I've ever done so is a 2 nighter. We women want to be prepared for anything!

hi
wrong
only ever take hand luggage
navy shorts
navy skirt
1 white t shirt
1 red t shirt
1 pale blue tshirt
1 lightweight multicolour red navy and white shirt
1 navy flannel shirt
1 pr trainer1 pr sandals
3 prs travel material socks
3 prs travel material underwear
1swimsuit
1 sarong
anti shine face powder sheets
pink lipsalve
just wash bits and pieces as we go along and get essential toiletries from walmart on arrival
only 11 more days packing won't take long

 

[Amyg]

hi
wrong
only ever take hand luggage
navy shorts
navy skirt
1 white t shirt
1 red t shirt
1 pale blue tshirt
1 lightweight multicolour red navy and white shirt
1 navy flannel shirt
1 pr trainer1 pr sandals
3 prs travel material socks
3 prs travel material underwear
1swimsuit
1 sarong
anti shine face powder sheets
pink lipsalve
just wash bits and pieces as we go along and get essential toiletries from walmart on arrival
only 11 more days packing won't take long

Like I said before "most women". I know there are some women that will do this, but MOST like to take lots of changes of clothes, shoes, etc. Wish I was one of you light packers but alas I'm not. Plus I always take little gifts to give out to people I might meet and clerks, etc. who have been very helpful! I enjoy seeing a smile from someone who knows we appreciate what they do.

 

[The SS Girls]

DD and I are planning on taking enough outfits for 7-8 days. We are bringing woolite to wash out clothes in the evening and use a laundry if needed. We are however bringing enough socks for each day, as well as undergarments. Our outfits are interchangeable, shorts go with different tops, so we hope that no two days we are in the same outfits.

I really wish now that we had bought two carry on roller suitcases, rather than one that has to be checked and one carry on. Oh well! Go with the flow!

Shoes are my biggest concern. We have a great pair of walking shoes, but, are debating getting some sandles too.

Can't wait for our trip!!

 

[ksumn1]

Last trip tp WDW in 2001 for DH, DD (3) and myself I packed 4 suitcases, ended up not needing over 1/2 of what I packed. Our next trip (hopefully May 06) I hope to only take 1 carryon and personal item per person (4 this trip). I work for an airline so we'll fly down for free, but buying our tickets home. If we check bags and they're lost on the way down I'm not entitled to any replacement or compensation, so I don't want to check bags if at all possible. Since I always buy new summer clothes, nothing expensive I even thought about taking the bare minimun of shoes, camera, film, disney shirts etc and stopping at Target or Wal Mart and purchasing mix and match shirts and shorts and 1 suitcase to pack extra stuff in. Has anyone else ever done this?

And kudos to those light packers, I think I'll still struggle with packing only necessities because I'm a "bring the kitchen sink" kind of girl!

 

[dyna]

I consider a carry on a HUGE bag when traveling. Try living out of a saddle bag for a couple of weeks EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING with you is either in saddle bag or on your body.

In the saddle bag goes 2 shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 undies 2 pairs of socks 1 swimsuit and extra pair of shoes and a small and I mean small bag with tolietries in it. I wear the 3rd set of clothing and do laundry every other day cause you NEVER want all your clothes dirty at once leaves nothing to wear.

In another bag strapped on the back of bike is the jackets and rain suits and if not stayin in hotel a sleeping bag and jacket becomes your pillow at night time.

Tent is strapped on front of the bike across handlebars.

A carryon NO PROBLEM I could live for over a year out of a carry on if I had to.